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Volkswagen Golf GTIs are known as some of the most reliable, well-designed and hi-performing cars on the market for the price. For that reason, it’s fun to improve your GTI with parts and accessories designed by the top brands and manufacturers of performance parts. This article is designed to help you create your own sleeper street performance Volkswagen Golf GTI with a simple step-by-step upgrade guide. You can do the modifications as you can afford them, or if money is no object, build your own monster street GTI and race it on the track.

1- Easy Performance Combo – K&N Hi Flow Air Filter, Synthetic Oil Change, Computer Chip

2- Name Brand Cold Air Intake – K&N Typhoon, AEM, Neuspeed P-Flo, Injen are good brands.

3- Performance Cat-Back Exhaust System – recommend Magnaflow, Neuspeed, HKS, Borla, GReddy.

4- Add a water/methanol injection. Snow Performance and Cooling Mist are good brands.

5- Upgrade your diverter valve, add a boost controller and more custom chipping.

6- Start digging into the engine – camshafts, forged internals, ported and polished heads. After this you’ll need to tune the engine further with a dyno or a standalone fuel management system.

7- Add nitrous, run race gas/ethanol, bigger turbos or twin turbo systems

As you add more horsepower you’ll need a beefier performance suspension and drivetrain to handle it all. Beef up your suspension or reinforce with strut bars, sway bar and roll cages. Upgrade your clutch and flywheel, and look into a high performance differential. Most of all, enjoy the drive. Your VDub is designed for performance and skillfully engineered to be able to upgrade its components and parts. If you want to race your GTI professionally or simply build it right for the street, start a good relationship with a shop or tuner you trust, believe us you’ll need it.

The Best Hybrid Golf Clubs in History

Hybrid golf clubs maximize the power of a wood with the elevation of an iron. Golf historians claim that Gary McCord (ex professional golfer and analyst) suggested the “hybrid” idea to TaylorMade in 2002. TaylorMade responded with the “Rescue Club”.

What is a Hybrid Golf Club?

The best hybrid golf clubs are also called “utility” clubs; suggesting an all-purpose combination club that fills in where other clubs fail.

Hybrid technology has targeted the “Moment of Inertia” (MOI) and “Center of Gravity” (COG) for a more optimum impact. The best hybrid golf clubs have lowered the COG with the larger club head and added the higher “angle” iron flat face to spin the ball more rapidly. The bottom has “runners” or “rails” to plow over difficult terrain.

Recreational golfers believe the hybrid is easier to use, emphasizing the compact heads offering “forgiveness” on the swing.

Professional golfers might use the shorter shafted hybrids for better control and accuracy. The best hybrid golf clubs are lauded as cutting through windy conditions with more effective “punch shots.”

Hybrid golf clubs are also divided into powerful irons and shallow-faced categories. Some companies have marketed these hybrids as a more potent “pitching wedge”, designed with greater loft to get out of a tough lie.

Best Hybrid Golf Clubs According to Multiple Praiseworthy Reviews

The Adams Idea A2 OS i-Wood Hybrid series includes 2, 3 and 4 i-Wood models of 17, 19 and 23 degrees loft angle; 41.25, 40.5 and 39.753 length and 58, 59 and 60 degrees lie angle. These hybrids weigh 75 grams and are noted for a lower COG, higher MOI, and great trajectory.

The Callaway FT Fusion Hybrid series includes 2H, 3H, 4H and 5H models of 18, 21, 24 and 27 degrees loft angle; 40.75, 40.25, 39.75 and 39.25″ length and 58.5, 59, 59.5 and 60 degrees lie angle. These hybrids weigh 69, 71 or 73 grams. They have “tungsten-infused soles”. This hybrid is one of the most popular due to its “feel” and ball trajectory.

The Nickent 4DX Ironwood Hybrid series includes a number of models of 14, 15.5, 17, 18.5, 20, 21.5, 23, 24.5, 26 and 29 degrees loft angle; 41.25, 40.75, 40, 39.25, 38.5 and 38.53 length and 59, 59, 59, 59.5, 59.5, 60, 60, 60.5, 60.5 and 61 degrees lie angle. This hybrid offers increased MOI and a “flatter trajectory”.

The Ping G10 Hybrid series includes models of 15, 18, 21, 24, 28 and 32 degrees loft angle; 41, 40.5, 40, 39.5, 39 and 38.53 length and 58, 58.75, 59.5, 60.25, 61 and 61.75 degrees lie angle. These hybrids are known for “versatile heads” and a “higher launch”.

The TaylorMade R7 CGB Max Burner Rescue Hybrid series includes models of 19, 22 and 25 degrees loft angle; 40, 39.5 and 393 length and 60.5, 61 and 61.5 degrees lie angle. This hybrid has a shallow clubface with “high launch” and “high spin”.

Test out the feel of the golf club. Find a good hybrid to improve your game.

Drag racing, a contest between two cars beginning from a complete stop over a distance of a 1/4 mile (1320 feet) depends heavily on first 60 feet of the race, or the launch. The technique used for launching varies greatly depending on the how the car is equipped. The type of transmission, which wheels are being driven, tires, power, suspension and track preparation all play key roles in how to go about getting the best launch possible from the car.

Improvements on the time it takes for the car to travel the first 60 feet down the track have significant implications on the final ET (estimated time). As a general rule, improvements in the 60 foot time, are magnified by 2x on your final ET. For example, a Dodge Viper GTS that runs a 12.2 @ 120 MPH in the 1/4 mile with a 60 foot time of 2.0 can make significant improvements to it’s 1/4 mile times by obtaining a better launch. If the Dodge Viper GTS is able cut .2 (two tenths) of a second off it it’s 60 foot time, by covering the first 60 feet in 1.8 seconds, it’s final ET for the 1/4 mile would be around 11.8 @ 119 – 121MPH. More examples can be found by searching through the thousands of 60 foot records in the http://www.dragtimes.com drag racing database.

The best possible launch is obtained by obtaining the optimal balance of applying the most amount of power to the ground with the least amount of wheel spin. If too much power is applied during the launch and the tires spin, the resulting 60 foot time will be poor. The same goes for not applying enough power, thereby causing the car’s engine to bog, and having the car limp off the line slowly.

When launching a car with an automatic transmission, a technique called power braking is used. After properly staging the car at the drag strip’s staging lane, tightly hold down the brake with one foot, while slowly applying the accelerator peddle with the other foot. The car’s engine RPM (revolutions per minute) should slowly increase to a point where the car will either start to move or start spinning the tires. Hold down both the brake and accelerator peddles just below the point where the car is starting to move or spinning the tires. When the christmas tree lights reach the last amber light before the green, lift off of the brake and slowly push the gas peddle all the way down. The correct RPM to launch at will be different every car depending on all of the variables mentioned earlier. Start conservative with the first launch and keep increasing the RPM at which the car is launched at during the subsequent runs. If the car starts spinning the tires after the launch, lower the launch RPM and try again.

When launching a car with a manual transmission come to a complete stop after the car is properly staged. Press the clutch in all the way with one foot while pressing the accelerator peddle down with the other foot, raising the engine RPM to a constant moderate level for the first launch. Lift up on the clutch peddle to the point where the car is just about to start moving and hold both peddles still. When the christmas tree lights reach the last amber before the green, slowly release the clutch while quickly applying the accelerator peddle enough to launch the car quickly, but not too much to induce a large amount of wheel spin. Start conservative with the first launch and keep increasing the RPM at which the car is launched at during the subsequent runs. If the car starts spinning the tires too much after the launch, lower the launch RPM and try again.

To obtain better launches and bring down 60 foot times even more, the use of drag radial or full slick tires can be used on more powerful cars that have trouble launching at any RPM on regular street tires. Drag radials and full slicks usually require a burnout to heat up the tires and clean them from debris for optimum performance. A burnout is a rapid spinning of the car’s tires while the car stays relatively still.

All wheel drive cars (AWD) are typically the easiest to launch because the engine’s power is distributed to 4 wheels instead of two. Rear wheel drive (RWD) cars typically launch better than front wheel drive (FWD) due to the transfer of weight to the rear tires during the launch, causing an increase in traction. If the car has aftermarket adjustable suspension, adjustments can be made specific for drag racing to increase the weight transfer to the driving wheels.

The track’s launch pad preparation also plays an important role in how well and how hard cars can launch. The launch area is usually prepped with traction compounds to add to the stickiness of the track. A well prepped track will definitely help drop 60 foot times and result in lower 1/4 mile times.

During the breaks and cool down periods between drag racing runs, make detailed notes about how you launched on the back of each timeslip. These notes can help you diagnose launching issues, fine-tune subsequent launches and show improvements in the search for The Perfect Launch.

Concentration is the root of golf mastery. It is much more than the ability of not being distracted or even visualizing the golf shot.

Granted, hardly any of the authors of ANY golf training book have comprehensive training in golf psychology, so let me give you some tips for peak concentration on the golf course. I’m not talking about “grinding” out on the golf course…this will burn you out early in the round and mentally deplete you.

First off, dance with which you brought to the course…in other words, don’t try to fix your golf swing out on the course. There is plenty of time to fix your swing on the range after the round. Your job on the course is to play golf, not play swing…you need to score!

Your thoughts need to be focused on getting the golf ball into the cup in the least amount of strokes possible…the object of the game! (How soon we forget this fact) The only things you should be thinking about while you plan your golf shot is the target, distance, direction, wind speed, your lie…and any other factor that comes into play.

Forget about your last shot and what score you might shoot. Only concentrate on the golf shot at hand. You must discipline yourself to stay in the moment…this takes time to master…if you want to become an accomplished golfer you will master this skill.

Once upon a time your ability to concentrate was incredible. Before you could think or understand what words are. This was when you were a baby. Your brain was a sponge. As a baby you could hold your attention on anything in your field of vision without any distracting thoughts.

As you got older and learned how to talk and to think you soon became aware of that little voice inside your head that seems to be with you during every waking moment. It is that little voice that you can’t quiet no matter how hard you try. It is always telling you that the golf shot is too hard, or that other golfer is better than you.

Zen master Dogen Zenji teaches not to stop negative thoughts in your mind…let them stop by themselves. If some negative thought comes into your mind, let it come in, let it go out. It will not stay long if you are not attached to the thought. When you TRY to stop your thinking of a negative thought, it means you are bothered by it. Do not be bothered by anything.

It may appear as if negative thoughts come from outside your mind, but actually they are only waves of your mind, and if you are not bothered by the waves, gradually they will become calmer and calmer. In five or ten minutes your mind will be completely serene and calm. At this time your breathing will become quite slow.

Now that your breathing is slow and your mind is calm, you can nourish your mind with positive thoughts. Your mind follows your breathing, if you are breathing slowly; your mind is ready to focus on only the thoughts that will allow you to play the golf shot at hand.

If your ego gets in the way and you are thinking of how to impress someone, this thought will get in the way of your objective to play the shot at hand. Let the thought come and let it pass…do not try to get rid of it, let it pass on its own, like a wave on the ocean!

Hit ‘em Long & Straight!

Kevin, tell us – what are the most important considerations when someone is setting up a driving range? Frequently, when people approach us about designing a driving range they are just thinking about the range. When we meet with our clients, we try to help them understand that it may make sense to think about this as more than just a driving range. Ideally it should be a golf learning center. This can include a putting green, some practice bunkers, possibly a place for some indoor lessons.

We try to help them understand that, as a marketing tool, the nicer your practice facility is the better positioned you will be at attracting new members, especially if you are a private club. It really is a benefit and an asset. If we can do something more than just a driving range, it will serve the golf course well.

What are the kinds of things you look at when setting up an exceptional driving range? In this day and age, with the developments of technology, we generally have to set up the range to be about 330 yards long because people are simply driving the ball that much farther these days.

So we start with a driving range, then we like to set up an area at the back of the tee where we can set up mats. This is helpful because sometimes you may need to work on the driving area and you might want the turf to be able to recuperate.

We also like to see a good putting area that is about 10,000 – 15,000 square feet.

We also encourage some sort of short game facility. That could be another practice green that would have some chipping areas, some practice bunkers, something that you could hit something 20 – 60 yards.

We generally try to provide some sort of a facility that would allow you to practice all aspects of the game, including: driving, chipping, putting and sand shots.

I’m sure safety has to be an important consideration when you are setting these up? Orientation and having adequate space are two important considerations.. We generally would not want to have a driving range that would have other high traffic areas such as a golf hole or the clubhouse or houses on the right side of the range, the slice side of the hole. So we always try to separate that a little bit.

What about driving range nets? Whenever possible, we try to put the practice facility where we don’t have to use nets. Nets can be quite expensive and not particularly attractive so we avoid them whenever possible.

What about how the range stalls are set up and the design of actual facility? There’s some common sense issues like circulation on and around the teeing area, things that we do about radiusing the tee (pointing the tee a little left of center), looking at the overall orientation, the prevailing winds, the rising or the setting sun. Ideally we would like to set the range up to the northeast – we don’t like it pointing directly to the east or the west.

We also like to set up some target greens on the range so that there is something interesting for people to aim for.

What about considerations for the actual landing area? There can be problems with the golf balls getting beat up if the surface of the driving range is not in good condition. Problems like rocky surfaces, poor drainage, etc.

This is really a function of turf quality and maintenance and proper construction. You want to make sure that rocks and debris are removed before you put the seed in the ground. You need to also make sure that you have a quality stand of grass out there. Irrigation, fertilizer, maintenance and drainage are all important to make sure you have good healthy turf.

Any other considerations that a developer should consider when they are developing a driving range? I would suggest that if people are considering building a practice facility they should find themselves an architect to work through the process of exploring their options. I would encourage them to get detailed plans and work out all the details of drainage and safety issues.

It drives very well. It’s a very basic specification, but extremely functional layout. Interior is dark, but there is a sound logic to it when night time approaches, as well as in the day. You feel part of the car rather than just “in” it. Controls are well weighted although you know do notice its weight, which is no bad thing and adds to the feeling of being at one with it. Steering can be slightly vague just off centre, but turning into the lock has adequate feel. The driver seat is comfortable and there is and airy feel to the cabin no comp. I am 6 ft 4 and am extremely comfortable in it. Rides well and has a quality feel to it. The car handles good up to 7 tenths, although can lean at extreme angles. More than adequate for most I would say.

The 1.8 8v engine is pretty good, with a sound similar at idle to a GTI 2.0, pretty meaty. Good low down torque and very easy to drive at less than 30 mph. At A-road speeds it is excellent for what it is requiring no gear changes at all in traffic flow. This car will pull happily from 10-15mph in 3rd, 25mph in 4th and 5th gear from 30mph upwards. The manufacturers claim of 106 lb/ft arrives at 3300rpm although there is plenty to play with before that. It delivers power smoothly from there on in hitting it limiter at about 5400rpm. In isolation, it goes well and if driven well can hold its own at 70-90 mph motorway speed. Full throttle not always necessary to make progress and upon changing gear it falls straight into the pool of torque.

It is however very easy to spin the front wheels in wet of damp conditions, can torque steer if not careful in first gear. It takes a while to get used to the gear change, but you get used to it, it inspires confidence. This car, although somewhat slated and underrated in recent years has a good blend of elements to it and I think the lack of ultimate power is a minus, but again on our tight, twisty roads the short gearing makes up for it. Fuel consumption is good about 35mpg and its burbling idle adds a bit of character. Boot space dissapointing as well as the standard security. All in all, a very good example if you buy a decent MK3. It has one owner for 8 years and was a company car before that, full service history and all stamps.

Being a Golf player, you know the aim of the game. The aim is
to get the ball into the hole, in the least number of shots possible.
Right? Well, it’s not that simple…unless you have a golf range
finder. Therefore, you’d better know about the use of Golf range
finders. This article presents you good information to select the best
golf range finder.

To a golf player, to be a potential winner, not only balls and
clubs are important but also a marvelous rangefinder. Suppose
you’re lined up on the 9th tee and you are facing a tough corner shot
to the pin on the green. You must know how far away you need to place
your ball so you can select the right club. How’ll you know or guess?

There are many golf rangefinders on the market but one of the best ones is the Nikon Prostaff 440 laser rangefinder.
Nikon comprises invisible FDA class 1 laser to obtain accuracy to
within half of a yard. You will find it a wonderful compact device.
Along with this, you’ll also have a heavy nylon case and a neck lanyard
so you won’t lose it anywhere. You can estimate accurate readings
from as close as 11 yards / 10 meters, all the way out to 437 yards /
400 meters.

This is performance-packed and water resistant. It also
features Nikon’s original digital processor and a 437-yard range for a true
reading on game. Other features include:

water resistant full scanning capability 1/2-yard accuracy powerful, 8X multi-coated optics 11- to 437-yard range belt case and neck lanyard included

Most golf players unanimously agree that these golf laser rangefinders are
good, lightweight and handy devices to use for.

Because these are most important features in a golf rangefinder, Nikon has
been designed so to serve the purpose. In addition, the ProStaff
Laser440 has an angle of view of 6.3 degrees, translating to a wide,
50.4-degree apparent angle of view and a field of view of 330 feet at
1,000 yards.

So, Nikon Prostaff 440 laser rangefinder will definitely help you
if you are looking to give yourself an edge in the game of
golf over your friends. There are also other golf rangefinders which you might like. Many golf analysts also emphasize the importance of
range finders in getting success in the game.

If walking down the golf course is leaving you with little energy to play, perhaps it is time to start looking at golf push carts. Golf carts can help to lighten your load and they can help you to easily carry your clubs across the golf course, and help to take a lot of the strain off your arms and legs. With less strain you will have more energy to play a good game. With many different features and more they can handle compared to older models, you will soon wonder how you ever played the game without these beneficial devices.

When you are considering the various golf carts available, you will come down to two different types. A two wheel cart and a three wheel one. Of the golf push carts available the three wheel design does offer the user better stability than its two wheel partner. Without the third wheel, you are going to need to place your cart against something or lay them on the ground anyway. In comparison if you don’t have a cart to help you out, you’ll be leaning your clubs no matter where you go and getting tired in the process.

As the hot sun beats down on you and you move from hole to hole, you can carry accessories like a water bottle on the various models of golf push carts. In comparison, if you are walking without a cart you’ll be juggling your water and your clubs at the same time. You’ll find that the push carts help you to maneuver faster and easier than not using them at all. In fact the lighter load on your shoulder may even help you to improve your score since you have less overall strain on your body.

Another great thing about the push carts is that you can place balls in them as well as your tees. Instead of having to bog everything down in your bag alone, as an added benefit from this your speed of play increases as well since you won’t have to be searching constantly for your balls and tees. This saved time could end up in allowing you to play an additional round of golf.

Of course, for the savvy technical player there is a solution for you as well. Newer models are being made that have gadgets on them to help improve your game, and there are even electrical carts that help take the pressure off of you pulling or physically pushing the cart along side of you. This is a great feature for those who have bad joints.

With less strain on you, and the ability to walk freely and carry stuff more efficiently, you can certainly see the benefits of using a golf push cart. These devices can become a very important part of your daily practice on the golf course, and should be considered before your next round. On a final note it isn’t improper to push or pull these carts, it is all a matter of preference.

When you are searching for a very commanding, very precise, very portable rangefinder. The Bushnell Tour V2 laser rangefinder with PinSeeker ought to be at the top of your list. It’s widely used and respected, and will offer you with all of the info you want to attack any golf course.

The world’s smallest, most advanced laser rangefinder, the Bushnell Tour V2 weighs merely 6.6 ounces and is precise from 5 to 1000 yards. It’s fitted with PinSeeker technology to combine pinpoint precision and consistency enabling you to range up to 300 yards (+ – 1 yard) to the flag without the use of reflectors.

Considered solely with the base of the cup in mind, the Bushnell Pinseeker mode permits easy acquisition of the flag without inadvertently capturing background target distances. When more than one object is acquired, the closer of the two targets is revealed on the LCD screen.

Powered by a 3-volt battery, the ultra-compact Tour V2 boasts a 5x magnification and features a rubber armoring, making it easy to grip. It also comes with a high quality carrying case. The Bushnell Tour V2 is legal for competition play and for posting of scores for handicap purposes. Other features include distance readings in both yards and meters and standard SCAN mode, which lets you to pan across the landscape while viewing a continuously updated LCD display of the distances between you and the targets you scan..

The Bushnell Tour V2 laser rangefinder with PinSeeker technology is one of the most broadly known and used rangefinders for golfers on the market today. The reality is that the Bushnell Tour V2 Pinseeker may well be a tiny and has been seen by many that this kind is in fact exceedingly attractive.

Will dimension Matter??

Nearly all feedback barely gets into a query of size, since the reality that some rangefinders could be very alike in this characteristic. This was a discovery during the Bushnell Pinseeker assessments, it is very obvious. This factor may appeal any golfer or user.

It offers a large mixture of top level performance and ease, and it will in no way let you down when you want it most.

Bushnell PinSeeker technology is such high worth that the Tour V2 laser rangefinder will allow you to accurately aim for flags at up to 300 yards. It has the most reflective range finding distance of 1,000 yards and offers an intermediate 700 yard ability for objects such as trees. Accurateness is ensured within one yard

Choice advantages of the Bushnell Tour V2 is that it’s the smallest laser rangefinder in its group. It measures just 1.7 x 4.5 x 3.8 inches and weighs only 6.6 ounces. It uses a 3 volt battery and comes with an integrated transport case and strap. With its easy grip construction and small size it offers the ultimate in convenience.

Looking at its size, it is not less than advanced, it incorporates the much sought after Pinseeker targeting technique into its construction. The period Bushnell Tour V2 Pinseeker was used, its technology really was a pleasure and permitted simple and efficient targeting system of the flag with no inadvertently latching onto other structures or targets. It operates with a normal scanning mode, utilizes an comfortable to view LCD screen and zeroes in on pins while avoiding setting objects.

Most might be grateful that the Bushnell Tour V2 laser rangefinder is officially authorized for competition use, as well as for posting scores for handicapping. This means you’ll be able to use it in any location and not just when you’re working or playing for fun.